Iowa governor orders review of undercover plates

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is ordering transportation officials to cut the number of special license plates issued to government vehicles that exempt them from traffic cameras.

Branstad said Thursday it’s unacceptable that 3,218 plates given to local, state and federal agencies have a designation that keeps them out of computerized databases. The designation is meant for those doing undercover work.

Cities with red light and speed cameras typically let those with the plates out of tickets that would cost ordinary drivers $75 to $200.

Branstad also said the review should look at how many tickets the cameras have issued and how many other violations were captured but not pursued.

The order comes after The Associated Press reported that more than 350 government agencies had been issued such plates.